Research Internships in Science and Engineering

Oak Ridge Associated Universities & IUSSTF

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. Who do I contact for more information?
Potential U.S. applicants and Host Institutions should send questions to Oak Ridge Associated Universities at info@rise.orau.org.
Potential Indian applicants and Host Institutions should send questions to the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum at internship@indousstf.org.

2. How long is a Research Internships in Science and Engineering program and what is the process for requesting a renewal?
The RISE internship is for a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months. The length of time is determined by the students availability and the Indian host institutions availability. RISE internships cannot be renewed or extended.

3. What are the eligibility requirements for the program?
The RISE internship is available to U.S. citizens only. All applicants must be pursuing a master’s or PhD level degree at the time of the internship.

4. How and when is an applicant notified of an award?
An applicant who has been selected for a RISE internship will be notified first by e-mail, followed by a formal offer from ORAU. The offer package consists of an Offer Letter, Terms of Appointment, and supporting materials and is sent via an express mail carrier. Typically, notifications are made in mid-April.

5. What determines the start and end dates for the internship, and can they be changed?
Your appointment start date (the first day you report to the appointment facility to officially begin the appointment) should be on or about the first week of June for summer internships. The Offer Letter will include the approximate start date based on your availability as listed in your application. If there are special circumstances, such as visa requirements, that require you to change the start date, you must notify ORAU to obtain approval.
The termination or end date is the last day you will be at your appointment facility and will be listed in your offer letter.

6. Does ORAU assist with travel and visa processing for US applicants traveling to India?
Yes. Before you make any arrangements to relocate, if applicable, you should contact ORAU, as indicated in the offer letter. Travel arrangements will be arranged by ORAU and adhere to Federal Travel Regulations and ORAU Travel Guidelines. ORAU will also arrange for any necessary Travel Visas.

7. To whom do I report on the first day of my assignment?
When you arrive in India, you will be greeted by a member of the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, ORAU’s partner in the RISE program. The IUSSTF representative will escort you first to your housing and then to your host facility. He or she will assist you with security and badging procedures, orientations, safety briefings, logistical arrangements, and other aspects of your appointment.

8. Can RISE interns receive compensation from other sources during their internship?
No. RISE interns must devote their efforts entirely to the RISE-sponsored research program for which the award was made. A RISE intern may not receive funding from another appointment or employment during the term of the appointment.

9. What are the requirements for publications?
You are encouraged to publish your research findings in the peer-reviewed open literature. You are required to adhere to the host facility’s requirements for prior review and approval of all material, whether written or prepared for oral presentation. All publications should include appropriate acknowledgment of the host facility, the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum and ORAU.

10. Are there guidelines regarding copyrights and patents?
Guidelines and procedures for publications, copyrights, and patents should be discussed with your host institution.

11. Is there any required reporting by RISE interns?
Yes. Each RISE intern must submit a final report immediately prior to the end of the internship. The final report should summarize the research accomplishments during the internship and include a listing of all publications, papers presented, conference participation, and other aspects of the internship. The release of the final stipend payment is contingent upon receipt of the final report by ORAU.

12. What if I need to terminate my internship before the official end date?
You must immediately inform your Advisor and ORAU. This written notification should be submitted at least 30 days before the early termination date.
If you terminate your initial appointment with fewer than 45 days of participation, you must repay in full any travel expenses you may have received. You must also submit a Final Report.

Stipend and Benefits

13. How is my stipend determined?
The stipend amount for the RISE internship is based on the Indian equivalent of a typical United States based internship. The equivalency includes comparable cost of living and buying power in India.

14. When and how will interns be paid?
ORAU encourages electronic deposit to an account of the Fellow’s choice, which ensures regular and timely deposits and documentation.

15. What if I work only part of a month?
If your internship begins after the first day of the month or terminates before the final day of the month, your stipend for that month will be prorated based on the number of days of participation in that month.

16. Is health insurance REQUIRED during my internship?
Yes. If you already have health insurance, all pertinent information must be included on the signed Terms of Appointment. Before the internship can begin, you must also provide a copy of your insurance card. You must also provide proof of an international rider through your insurance. If you do not already have health insurance, you may purchase coverage through the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee group plan offered by ORAU.

17. Are interns considered employees of ORAU or IUSSTF?
No. A RISE intern is not an employee of ORAU, the host facility, or IUSSTF. The intern is affiliated with ORAU and IUSSTF for the administration of the appointment through the ORAU Offer Letter and Terms of Appointment and has a guest internship at the host facility.

18. Does an intern earn vacation or sick leave during the internship?
Interns are not employees; therefore, there are no employment-related benefits such as paid vacations, sick leave, or unemployment compensation. With the approval of the mentor and host facility, however, an intern may be excused from participation for brief periods due to illness, personal emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.

An intern may be excused for personal leave for a brief period of time without cessation of his or her stipend, provided the leave and the continuation of the stipend are pre-approved by the mentor and host facility at least two weeks in advance. The host facility must notify IUSSTF of the approved time away from the facility and the continuation of the stipend prior to the start date of the personal leave.

Taxes

19. Does ORAU or IUSSTF withhold federal and state income taxes for interns?
Since RISE interns are not employees, and since they receive awards (not wages), ORAU and IUSSTF do not withhold state or federal income taxes from award payments. Interns should consult a tax accountant or other tax professional regarding state and federal income tax requirements.

20. Does ORAU withhold federal and state income taxes for Indian interns in the United States?

ORAU will review existing treaties between the Fellow's country of citizenship and the U.S. to determine federal income tax withholdings. ORAU may withhold a portion of the monthly stipend for income tax purposes based on the current treaties. ORAU does not withhold state income taxes. Travel expense reimbursements (including relocation costs) are not taxable.

Fellows should consult a tax accountant or other tax professional regarding state and federal income tax requirements.

RISE interns receive award payments from ORAU, which are reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by ORAU as “Miscellaneous Income—prizes and awards” as defined in IRS Code Section 74. All payments by ORAU should be reported on the intern's federal income tax return, Form 1040, as "Other Income" and be identified as a "Fellowship Award."

21. Are NPP Fellows exempt from paying self-employment taxes?
Yes. Since RISE interns are not employees and since they receive awards (not wages), they are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Travel

22. What travel expenses are provided by ORAU and IUSSTF?
ORAU and IUSSTF will provide one roundtrip ticket between the intern’s current residence address to the area of the assigned host facility. Travel visa processing costs will also be provided by ORAU and IUSSTF.

23. Is professional and programmatic travel paid for during the internship appointment?
Yes, if your host facility requests you to travel to a conference or meeting, the host facility will provide funds for programmatic travel.

24. Does ORAU or IUSSTF have a travel agent to assist with travel arrangements, or will I make my own travel plans?
Both ORAU and IUSSTF have in-house travel staff to assist with RISE travel. Details will be provided in the Terms of Appointment letter.

25. Can an intern make his/her own travel arrangements, pay for it or any part of it up front, and still be reimbursed by ORAU?
No.

26. Can an intern have personal travel during the appointment?
All personal travel must be coordinated through ORAU or IUSSTF and pre-approved by your mentor and your host facility. If your stipend is to be continued during the personal leave, the mentor must provide ORAU or IUSSTF with approval of your personal travel and the continuation of your stipend at least two weeks in advance of your departure date. Personal travel outside your host country may be restricted or require additional documentation. Travel is not advised outside of your host country.